I think i qualify to answer.
The last statement is your problem. “Solid understanding” mindset is holding you back.
To be elite don’t care about learning, only care about making more money.
No company will give your higher salary coz you understand how to manually handle tcp sockets in kotlin, but if you are money minded it will show when you open your mouth. Money attracts money.
Sorry to burst your bubble, since we all have been taught from childhood to not run behind money and rather run behind learning. Very fee realised this earlier in their career. Many people don’t realise this at all and the “solid understanding” mindset is passed on to the offsprings. Like poor breeds poor.